Ferris Wheel

ABSTRACT

The invention is concerned with a ferris wheel. It has a system for measuring a deformation of it, comprising one or more sensors, providing a source and a target, to detect mutual displacement of the hub ( 3 ) and the rim ( 1 ), with which an unallowable twisting between hub and rim can be detected. The motoric driving system is provided with one or more rollers, comprising a rigid roller rim of cast metal and thereon a pneumatic tyre of flexible thin walled material, filled with a foam material. It further has a system to protect against dynamic wind loads, comprising close to each gondola ( 2 ), a mounted damper ( 11 ), directed perpendicular to the rotation plane of the gondolas, which damper has an at both ends closed, liquid filled tube containing a displaceable heavy element which with a spring element is displaceably mounted in the tube.

The inventions proposed are related to a ferris wheel or such amusement,e.g. at least 80, 90 or 100 m high. With this type the gondolascontinuously keep the outer side of the amusement, such that at thehighest level the gondola projects above the structure and an unimpededview is offered in all directions. The inventions are however alsoapplicable to other structures wherein a plurality of gondolas circulatein a closed loop by way of convenient stationary or moving bearingand/or guiding structure. The bearing and/or guiding structure is e.g. arim like, circular, vertical or inclined ring structure, rotatablearound a central hub, such as with a traditional ferris wheel, or e.g. acomparable ring structure, but in that case mounted without thepossibility to rotate. In the first case (e.g. of the type with hub),the gondolas are undisplacable mounted to the ring structure and followthe movements thereof. In the latter case (e.g. of the hubless type) thegondola are mounted displaceable/advancable along the ring structure andadvance therealong. In the latter case the bearing/guiding structure canalso be designed different from circular, e.g. with a flattened part orhelical or in the shape of the digit 8.

Hereafter the amusements to which the inventions are directed arecommonly referred to as “ferris wheel” or “wheel”.

It is typical for the ferris wheel to which these inventions aredirected, that in use, but possibly also during stand still, gondolas,e.g. 10 or 20, are substantially equally distributed with mutual spacingalong the complete bearing/guiding structure or moving track,respectively, of the gondolas. This is clearly different from e.g. a socalled roller coaster, wherein only one gondola is at the track eachtime. Thus with the amusements to which these inventions apply, aconstant advancing speed of the gondolas can be applied during aplurality of succeeding circulations of the gondolas, which is veryimportant from the point of view of comfort for the passengers that havethe desire to enjoy the view in a comfortable manner. With a view to theobserving character it is further characterizing the relatively lowcirculation speed of the gondolas, with the additional feature thatduring entrance and exit of the passengers, it is not required to bringthe gondola to stand still. Besides the gondolas are closed with a viewto the safety and to offer protection against the weather. With a viewto this and due to the relatively long stay of the passengers, thegondolas are typically provided with one or more of the following: anair conditioner, one or more closable entrance doors for the passengers,a vending machine (e.g. for beverages or snacks), one or more binocularsmounted on a bracket, a music device, telecommunication equipment.

According to an embodiment the ferris wheel has a substantially ring orrim unit with thereon along the complete circumference with mutualspacing the gondolas carrying the passengers, possibly a hub unitcentrally within the rim unit, bearing on the sub surface through asupporting structure, possibly a spoke unit with which the rim unit isload bearing coupled to the hub unit, and a driving unit to rotate therim unit around the hub shaft, or to displace the gondola along the rimunit. Besides the ferris wheel has equipment such as for entrance andexit of the passengers, closing the gondola, keeping the gondola in thedesired position.

The rim or such unit can comprise a space structure such as a spaceframe, but also a more closed structure, such as a tube with any desiredsection, or be fabricated from sheet material. The rim unit makes aclosed ring or loop which preferably is positioned vertically and isturned in its plane around its horizontal central axis.

The spoke unit has slender, possibly flexible pulling elements, whereinthe spoke unit can be designed such that it only has slender flexiblepulling elements. The term “slender flexible pulling elements” meanselongated structural elements, which can substantially only bear tensionforces in lengthwise direction. Examples are cables, ropes, chains,cords. Also e.g. tubes with small buckle strength, i.e. elements withsuch small strength to bear longitudinal compression forces, that thisstrength is not used when designing the ferris wheel. Use is preferredof so called “locked coil cables”, made of bundles of ropes, of which atleast the outer ropes have a substantially Z-shaped section.

The slender flexible pulling elements preferably extend radially fromthe hub to the rim and keep at the rim a constant circumferentialspacing. Preferably the slender flexible pulling elements are inlinedwith respect to the plane in which the rim turns around the hub, suchthat loads from the rim perpendicular to said plane (e.g. wind forces)can also transferred to the hub through the slender flexible pullingelements.

The slender flexible pulling elements are preferably pre tensioned suchthat during all expected condictions in use tension forces act in theslender flexible pulling elements. Thus the rim is circumferentiallyloaded with compression forces.

The gondolas are preferably at the radially outer side of the rim andcan be provided with a feature such that they, or at least theirpassengers floor or seats, each can turn around a relevant axis parallelto the rotating axis of the rim such that during turning of the rim thegondolas always keep the same position, such that the passengers alwaysstand/sit upright. Preferably said feature has a mechanic drive meanssuch that the positioning is guaranteed under all circumstances.

Non-limiting examples of the ferris wheel are now illustrated by way ofthe enclosed drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a ferris wheel;

FIG. 2 shows a side view;

FIG. 3 shows a view of a rim part;

FIG. 4 a-c show details of a hub;

FIG. 5 a-b show details of a rim;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective of another wheel;

FIG. 7 a-b show a perspective of a part of a wheel during erection;

FIG. 8 shows a view of another wheel during erection;

FIG. 9 shows a damper

The rim of FIG. 1 is in this example a space frame with at the innerring 64 (positioned in the vertical symmetry plane of the rim) nodepoints with equal spacing, to each of which a longitudinal end of aspoke (tension cable) is connected. In a symmetrical manner from saidnode points to the outside the space frame widens radially and thennarrows to end in coupling points for the gondolas at both sides of thevertical symmetry plane of the rim.

The spokes extend absolutely radially, or slightly different therefrom,to the central hub and are connected thereto with the other end. Whendifferent from absolutely radial, axis symmetric loads in the plane ofthe rim can be transferred to the rim through the spokes.

Besides the spokes extend inclined relative to the vertical symmetryplane of the rim, wherein viewed circumferentially the spokesalternatingly incline oppositely.

The hub is journalled onto a shaft, which at only one side is mounted toa bearing structure of buckle free tubes and tension cables that areconnected to a foundation. Alternatively, the hub shaft is mounted atboth its ends.

At low level the rim is sideways guided at two locations along itscircumference to avoid too large sideways displacement (i.e. parallel tothe hub axis) thereof, to protect entering and exiting passengers.Between said two guiding locations along the circumference of the rimthe entrance platform for the gondolas is provided.

The wheel is provided with 32 gondolas which each are provided with twoequal driving rings with common rotating axis, between which thevertical symmetry plane of the rim extends and with which the gondolasare connected to the rim. Each gondola can thus turn around a body axisparallel to the hub axis relative to the rim to maintain the position ofthe gondola during turning of the wheel (e.g. keep the floor of thepassengers cabin horizontally).

FIG. 3 shows the rim 1, the gondola 2, the hub 3 and the so calledrotation cables 4 (illustrated further on).

Laser System

The ferris wheel is provided with a system to measure shape disturbancesthereof. It can be designed with one or ore sensors, e.g. a source and agoal, to detect mutual displacement of two parts. E.g. a transmitter ismounted to the hub 3, transmitting e.g. high frequency radiation, suchas a radio or light wave (visible or invisible e.g. UV or IR radiation),such as a beam of laser light. A receiver or reflector is mounted to therim. In case of a reflector a receiver is mounted to the hub 3.Transmitter and receiver/reflector are mounted such that with it anunallowable twist between hub 3 and rim 1 can be detected. E.g. when thehub 3 makes a too large angle twist relative to the rim 1, the radiationfrom the transmitter no longer or does arrive at the receiver/reflectorat the rim 1. Alternatively sensors are used that measure displacementof two objects, e.g. by providing the rim 1 and the hub 3 each with anown pulse counter to measure the rotating displacement of eachseparately, and these are connected to an evaluation unit, such ascomputer, to supply it with the measuring data and compare it to detectunallowable large mutual twisting. Another example is mounting of one ormore strain gauges to a part of the wheel, e.g. a cable 4, andconnecting it to an evaluation unit.

Another protection system is e.g. provided by sensors with which thetension in the rotation or spoke cables is measured during use of thewheel. E.g. said sensors are provided near the hub, e.g. measuring pinsor strain gauges in or on the cable sockets mounted to the hub. Thesesensors are e.g. connected to an evaluation unit, such as computer, e.g.provided in the hub. Preferably the computer is provided with atransmitter for wireless signal transmission of the measuring data fromthe sensors or a signal that is determined therefrom.

Rotation Cables

In the view of FIG. 3 the so called spoke cables are eliminated forclearancy, which are indeed shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows the hub 3 ofFIG. 3 and views according to arrow I (FIG. 4 c) and II (FIG. 4 b),respectively, thereof, in which the spoke cables 5 are indeed shown.FIG. 5 shows a part of the rim 1 of FIG. 3, also with illustration ofthe spoke cables 5. There are more then two times spoke cables 5 thanrotation cables 4 (in this example at each end of the hub 3: 32 spokecables 5 and 8 rotation cables 4, thus at least three times more spokecables 5). The spoke cables 5 extend absolutely radially (or differ 20at the most), the rotation cables 4 extend each at an angle of at least10°, 20° or 30°, e.g. in the range of 20°-70° relative to the radialdirection. The rotation cables 4 extend inclined, at the one hub side inthe direction and at the other hub side opposite the rotating directionof the wheel (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4). Thus the rotationcables 4 can independently transmit the rotation driving power andbraking power from the hub 3 to the rim 1.

As FIG. 4 shows, the spoke cables 5 extend inclined relative to theplane in which the rim turns around the hub 3, and are centrally mountedto the radial inner side of the rim 1. The rotation cables 4 are mountedradially further to the outside, at both sides of the symmetry plane 6of the rim 1. The rotation cables 4 are mounted to the hub 3 outside thespoke cables 5, at the side corresponding to the rim 1.

According to a variant the wheel has no rotation cables 4. The spokecables 5 are inclined at an angle of at least 5° or 10° relative to theradial, all at the one hub side in the direction and all at the otherhub side opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. Thisinclination of the spoke cables 5 is illustrated in phantom in FIG. 4with dash line 7. Thus the spoke cables 5 can independently transmit therotation driving power and braking power from the hub 3 to the rim 1.This embodiment can be obtained starting from that according to FIGS. 4and 5, by eliminating the rotation cables 4 and shifting the mountinglocation of the spoke cables 5 over one mounting location at either thehub 3 or rim 1.

Rim of Sheet

In stead of a space frame for the rim 1, it can be made of sheetmaterial. In stead of the diamond shape (viz. FIG. 5A), the rim can havea sectional shape as a triangle, preferably with equal sides.

Centreless Wheel

FIG. 6 shows a so called centreless wheel, wherein the 24 gondolas (onlyschematically shown) displace along a stationary rim orguide/suspension. The rim is flattened at the lower side, such that thegondola at that point advance horizontally during some time, which isadvantageous to let the passengers enter/exit. Each gondola has an ownelectro motor for its propulsion along the rim. The gondolas keep amutual spacing of at least 1 or 2 gondola diameters, i.e. the spacebetween two succeeding gondolas offers room to one or more identicalgondolas in the same orientation. Is has shown that in this manner it ispossible to realize a relatively light weight but also safe structure.The galvanic power for the own propulsion motor obtain the gondolathrough a stationary power rail, co-extending with the rim. The gondolasare preferably mutually mechanically coupled, such that they provide akind of train in closed loop shape. Thus the gondolas reliably maintainmutual distance and when the power of a gondola is gone, the propulsionof it can be obtained by the other gondolas. Track shapes differing fromthe circular shape as shown are also feasible, such as ellips, 8-shape,etc.

Entrance Doors

FIG. 6 shows at both sides of the wheel a platform. By providing thegondola at both its longitudinal ends with an entrance door, thepassengers can enter/exit at both ends. By demanding that at the oneside one only can enter and at the opposite side exit, logistic timesaving and safety improvement can be obtained. This can e.g. de providedby an automatic door open/closing system designed to open the doors of agondola at different times. E.g. first the one door opens at the sidewhere no future passengers are waiting at the platform, such thatpassengers automatically exit toward said side.

Mounting Method

FIG. 7 a-b show a mounting method, wherein the wheel is assembles inflat position and thereafter is erected by a crane structure 8, whilepivoting around the ends of the supporting tubes 9 pointing away fromthe hub 3.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative mounting method, wherein first the hub 3 ismounted in its use position, whereafter the rim 1 is mounted thereto.During that, preferably a circle part segment of the rim 1 with therelevant pulling elements (spoke cables/rotation cables) is each timesuccessively mounted to the hub 3. During that the circle part segmentto be added is present in the lowest position of the wheel,symmetrically relative to the vertical symmetry axis of the wheel. Therelevant circle part segment is mounted to the hub 3 with the aid of abending stiff temporary sub structure 10 (a kind of bending stiffspoke). Subsequently the hub 3 is turned such that the added circle partsegment turns over half its length, by which its place during mountingcomes free. FIG. 8 shows the situation after the first circle partsegment is mounted and displaced (turned in the direction of arrow B).For advantageous loading during mounting, after mounting of a circlepart segment one turns in the one direction and then turns in theopposite direction after mounting of the next circle part segment.Comparing FIG. 7 no expensive hoisting means are required. But themounting is more elaborate due to the required sub structure 10 andbecause the hub 3 must be finished already at the start of assembling.

Tyrefill

The motoric driving or brake system for e.g. turning the rim oradvancing the gondolas along the rim or turning the gondola around itsaxis to maintain its orientation in space can be provided with one ormore rollers, each comprising a rigid roller rim with thereon apneumatic tyre (preferably tubeless) of flexible thin walled material,comparable to the supporting wheel of an automobile or lorry. Thus thetire has a central running face at a radial distance to the roller rimand at both sides side walls connecting thereto and extending to theroller rim, with at their end facing away from the running face a beadfollowing the outer diameter of the roller rim and mounted thereto. Theroller rim provides the air tight closure between the side walls.Preferably the tyre is substantially completely filled with a foammaterial, e.g. of latex or latex like. Preferably said filler has suchproperties, that the tyre filled therewith does not substantially behavedifferent from the situation when the filler is absent. Thus the rollerremains in use, also when the tyre is punctured. If the foam materialadheres to the rim, a high couple transmission can be ensured. Theroller rim is preferably of cast metal, such that the coupletransmission is maximum.

Tuned Mass Dampers

The wheel is preferably provided with a system for protection againstparticularly dynamic wind loads (particularly of low frequency). It isdesirable, with a view to comfort, to keep deflections small to avoidpassengers becoming sea sick. It is therefor proposed to mount one ormore dampers to preferably the rim 1 of the gondola 2. The dampers arepreferably equally distributed along the circumference of the rim 1. Inan example, near each gondola a damper is located. FIG. 5 shows apossible embodiment with dampers 11, schematically illustrated. Eachgondola 2 is provided with two dampers 11. The dampers are elongatedelements, extending perpendicular to the rotation plane of the wheel orthe vertical plane or in the width direction of the rim. Differentlysaid, the dampers are substantially directed in the direction in whichthe deflections by dynamic loads must be limited. The damper is e.g.about as long as the rim is wide, e.g. at least 5 m.

As FIG. 9 shows schematically, the damper comprises a hollow, elongatedbody, e.g. a tube 11 closed at both ends and mounted to the part to bedamped. Within it a heavy element 12 is displaceable, through a springelement 13 (e.g. coil spring) at its one end mounted to the one end ofthe tube 11. The damper contains friction lowering means, such as freerotating rollers, balls or another roll bearing mounted to the element12 and bearing on the inner wall of the tube 11, such that the heavyelement 12 can displace within the tube 11 with low friction. The tube11 is further filled with liquid, such as oil. While in rest the relaxedspring 13 keeps the element 12 approximately in the center of the tube11. When the part to be dampened, e.g. rim, deflects the tube 11 moveswith it and the element 12 initially remains in position, such thatspring 13 is stretched or compressed. Subsequently the element 12 isdisplaced by the force from the spring 13 while the spring 13 tries torelax.

Good results are obtained with a mass of 100 kg or 150 kg minimum, e.g.between 200 kg and 500 kg for the element 12. The components of thedamper are preferably selected such that the engine frequency of theelement 12 is below 1 or 0.5 Hz.

According to a variant wherein the gondolas move along a fixed track,one can provide to only locally provide one or more dampers. E.g. withthe wheel according to FIG. 6 merely in the area of the rim where theupper three gondolas are present.

Alternatively an observation tower or such amusement is proposed,wherein a cabin or such passenger space can move up and down with theaid of displacement, guiding and/or driving means along an upwardextending fixed column, tower structure or such (hereafter commonlyreferred to as column), such that the cabin can serve as a passengerelevator and can bring the passengers to a level of 100 m or more abovethe ground to enjoy the view. It is desired that the passengers arebrought up and down in a comfortable, safe manner and also can enjoy theview during upward and downward movement. It is further desired that thepassengers during the complete ride stay in the cabin. Differentlyspoken, it is unnecessary that at the top of the column a cabin ispresent which e.g. stays at the same level and to which the passengersare transported by an elevator. It is further desired that the columndoes not obstruct the view from the cabin, such that the cabinpreferably extends outside, e.g. around, the column and e.g. is designedsubstantially in a closed loop in a ring or donut shape (e.g. angled orrounded). Thus the cabin functions as elevator and observation space andis therefor equipped with sufficient windows for viewing outside. For apanoramic view the cabin is substantially transparent at the side facingaway from the column, such that the view straight forward while standingor sitting is substantially unobstructed, e.g. obstructed at the most bystructurally necessary elements such as glazing bars, frame elements, asafety guide.

The amusement can be equipped with driving means for both moving up anddown of the cabin and turning of the cabin around an upward axis. Bysaid turning around a passenger staying at the same position in thecabin can have a view of 360°. The turning around will as a rule be withlow speed, e.g. a single revolution per at least 1, 5, 10 or 15 minutes,adjusted to the use as observation tower.

There are already observation towers known wherein a donut shaped cabinwith passengers inside moves upward along a central stationary verticalcolumn projecting through a hole that is encircled by the cabin, whereinthe cabin functions as elevator and observation space and wherein thecabin turns around the column. The cabin is designed such that thepassengers only have access to a relatively narrow passage extending ata distance to the column there around (designed for walking traffic inone direction) with at the inner edge thereof a row of chairs in asingle crown, the back rests of which are facing the column. Thus it isdesired that during entrance no more passengers are allowed as there arechairs and that all passengers be seated before the cabin rises, and thepassengers during the ride remain seated or at the most rise but do notwalk around. The passage is sufficiently narrow such that it is not easyfor passengers to walk around without obstructing other passengers. Inthat case they walk obstructingly in front of the seated passengers,while a passenger standing in front of its chair must place himselfagainst the front wall or must be seated to allow passage of anotherpassenger.

This invention now proposes to design the cabin that during the ridepassengers are offered sufficient space to walk around and take severalpositions without obstructing other passengers. Different from the priorart a passenger can easily change places during the ride. E.g. thepassengers belonging to a group have better opportunities due to thelarger available space in the cabin to stay together. According to theprior art a group will more easily become spread if they are distributedamong the last remaining seats at random positions within the cabin.With a cabin that is turning around a passenger can, if he so desires,observe the same object for a longer period by walking within the cabinopposite the turning direction, without obstructing the view of otherpassengers or asking them to step aside.

E.g. the floor of the cabin extends over a distance of at least 3, 4 or5 m from the side wall of the column. Differently spoken, the floormeasures diagonally at least about 15, 20 or 25 m with a column diameterof about 10 m. The cabin keeps several tens cm spacing with the column,e.g. between about 0.25 and 0.75 cm.

The invention also proposes to equip the cabin with two or more levels,such that passengers can stay at the same number of levels and enjoy theview. Thus the cabin has two walking surfaces and two window groupsabove each other, with a mutual distance according to the humanergonomy, e.g. at least 2 m. Preferably those levels are mutuallyconnected through the inside of the cabin by a stairs or elevator orsuch bridging means, such that passengers e.g. during the ride canchange level. When e.g. the cabin has a smoking and non-smokingcompartment, the one level can be designed for smokers while another fornon-smokers. In connection with a view that is as unobstructed aspossible it is preferred that the one level projects further outside thecolumn than another.

The invention also proposes to provide the floor and/or ceiling of thecabin with windows, such that the passengers can enjoy the view straightdownward or upward, respectively.

The bigger cabin offers the possibility to ease making one's toilet andeating/drinking during the ride. The cabin e.g. has a toilet room and/orselling point for refreshments of other consuming goods. It is evenfeasible to make in the cabin an arrangement of (standing) tables andpossibly chairs, at which the passengers can eat/drink. A breakfast,lunch or dinner with waiters is even possible. Also a counter with seatsis feasible.

Taking account of the large freedom of movement of the passengers, thestructure must be designed such that it also remains safe duringimportant asymmetric loading since passengers crowd together at a singleside of the cabin, e.g. since from that position something specialoutside can be seen. Think of a guiding system of the cabin along thecolumn and/or the lifting system, designed to bear said asymmetric load,e.g. the weight of 25 or 50 persons or more, without loss of function.

A particularity of the invention is further that the cabin is preferablyfree of relative to the horizontal inclined structural elementsextending from the inside to the outside, such as stiffening beams orcables, or vertical bulk heads as high as the cabin or substantial partthereof, serving to stiffen and strengthen the floor sufficiently. Suchstructural elements obstruct the passengers in the moving space. Thecabin of the invention is preferably of the type with self bearingwalls, such that it has a monocoque like structure or self bearing hull.Thus the space between the inner and outer wall and ceiling and floor issubstantially completely available to the passengers.

Thus the cabin preferably offers a passengers space with panoramicobservation windows and of sufficient depth such that passengers canstand or walk around the column in three, four, five, six of moreconcentric rows without passengers in different rows mutuallycontacting.

The enclosed drawing shows a non-limiting example of the invention,showing in:

FIG. 10 schematically a side view, partly broken, of an observationtower;

FIG. 11 a side view of the cabin;

FIG. 12 a perspective view of the cabin;

FIG. 13 a side view of another cabin;

FIG. 14 a sectional view, broken, of said other cabin.

The illustrated amusement comprises a vertical column 100 as a spaceframe with six vertical piles 21 (only four are visible) with equalspacing, arranged in a pattern in top view with six corners. At theouter side of the column inclined stiffening rods 31 are mounted toadjacent piles 21, to improve the buckling stiffness and strength.Inside the column 100 an escape track (not shown) extends from top tobottom, e.g. a fire stairs. Within the column 100 also a counter weight71, suspended from cables 41, of the cabin 51 can move up and down. Thecables 41 extend in the column 100 over guide wheels 81 and from thereto the cabin 51. The top of the column is e.g. 100 m above the ground61.

With the cables 41 the substantially cylindrical cabin 51 can be hoistedfrom the ground (only the sectional circumference of the cabin is shown)to the top of the column 100. FIG. 10 shows the position of the counterweight 71 when the cabin 51 is at the lowest location; and when thecabin as at the highest level.

The cabin 51 has the shape of a closed ring or donut, closely fittingaround the column 100. This the cabin extends at the outer side of thecolumn 100. The cabin has two levels and is thus at two levels providedwith a substantially uninterrupted group of windows 91 in the side wallof the cabin 51 facing away from the column 100 and extending around thecolumn 100. The floor of the top level projects further from the column100 than the floor of the lower level of the cabin 51.

Each floor extends from close to the column 100 outwardly. If thediameter provided by the piles 21 is about 10 m, the floor of the cabinextends over a distance of at least 3 m from the side wall of thecolumn. Differently spoken, the floor measures diagonally about 20 m.Between the two floors a stairs 101 extends. The stairs 101 projectsthrough a hole in the floor of the top level of the cabin 51 and isprovided at the from the column away facing side of the side wall of thecabin adjacent the column 100.

At ground level 61 are the entrance and exit, here with moving stair111. They end within the space in the column 100 that is enclosed by thecabin 51. Through entrance and exit doors in the to the column 100facing side wall of the cabin 51 the passengers arrive in and out thecabin 51. At ground level 61 there is a waiting room 112 and severaldifferent rooms for e.g. toilet, ticket sell, etc.

FIG. 12 shows the floors 131, uninterrupted extending from the innerwall 114 to the completely glass outer wall 115 of the cabin. The rods31 are eliminated. The walls 114, 115, the floors 131 and the roof 118of the cabin are designed to be load bearing such that the spaceenclosed by them is freely accessible for passengers. Window bars 119are further shown in the wall 115.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show another cabin with just one passengers level,wherein FIG. 14 shows the center line 116 of the column 100 and a partof the cabin. Passengers 117 can move anywhere in the cabin 51 fromclose to the column 100 to the window 115. In FIG. 13 the cabin is inthe top position and the column is broken.

According to the invention as an alternative the ferris wheel isarranged on a turning disc or ring or such structure such that theferris wheel can be turned around an upward or vertically axis such thatthe upward or vertical directed plane in which the ferris wheel rotatescan change position, e.g. dependent from the position of an object inthe sky, such as the sun, or the wind direction. The turning disc orring is provided with driving means to turn it around the upward orvertical, e.g. symmetry axis. Both the ferris wheel and itsfoundation/bearing structure turns with the turning disc/ring.

Of course variants and changes based on the above belong to theinvention. E.g. the number of specified or illustrated elements, such asspokes, gondolas, guides, supports, etc. can be more or less thanindicated. Also equivalents or differently designed elements can beapplied; also embodiments with one or more elements of one or moreembodiments of this specification or drawing.

Independent invention: Observation tower or such amusement with a cabinwith e.g. free bearing external walls, possibly in two or more levels.

1. Ferris wheel or such amusement with a frame and gondolas and drivingmeans to let the gondolas move along a predetermined path.
 2. Ferriswheel according to claim 1, provided with a system for measuring adeformation of it, comprising one or more sensors, providing a sourceand a target, to detect mutual displacement of two parts; wherein to thehub (3) a transmitter and possibly a receiver is mounted that transmitshigh frequency radiation, and to the rim (1) a receiver or reflector,respectively, with which an unallowable twisting between hub and rim canbe detected; with extending between the rim and the hub substantiallyradially running spoke cables (5) and at least 10°, e.g. in the range of20°-70° inclined relative to the radial running rotation cables (4),wherein the rotation cables extend inclined, at the one hub sideaccording to and at the opposite side opposite to the turning directionof the rim; the motoric driving system to drive the gondolas (2) isprovided with one or more rollers, comprising a rigid roller rim of castmetal and thereon a pneumatic tyre of flexible thin walled material,filled with a foam material, wherein said foam material adheres to thetyre and the rim, and the running surface of the roller drivinglyengages the element to be driven; with a system to protect againstdynamic wind loads, comprising close to each gondola a mounted damper,directed perpendicular to the rotation plane of the gondolas, whichdamper has an at both ends closed, liquid filled tube (11) containing adisplaceable heavy element (12) which with a spring element (13) isdisplaceable mounted in the tube (11); the gondolas are provided at theradial outer side of the rim.